OUR FASTEST GROWING SCHOOLS
Queenscliff primary defying the odds
THE fastest growing Geelong schools have been revealed.
An analysis of Federal Government data has revealed the Geelong region schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.
Between 2013 and 2018 enrolment at Queenscliff Primary School has increased by 883.3 per cent, faster than any other school in the region.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.
According to the latest data, student numbers at Queenscliff Primary School grew from 6 to 59 in the fiveyear period, the fastest growth in the region. The Bellarine Peninsula school also experienced the largest growth in Victoria.
And this year, Queenscliff Primary School has more than 100 students, principal Richard Buckingham said, with about 120 enrolled for next year.
The school’s growth is particularly impressive given the elderly demographic and high number of holiday homes in Queenscliff.
“We had unwavering belief that we could change the trajectory of the school and beat the odds with the numbers,” Mr Buckingham said.
He attributed its growth to a strong focus on a rigorous literacy and numeracy program and the school’s holistic approach to learning.
“I’ve been able to recruit outstanding teachers and build upon their capacity through lots of initiatives the department is running,” he said.
Mr Buckingham took the reins in 2016, when the school, which has a maximum capacity of 150 students, had just 10 kids. He described the increase as incremental, and the rapid growth a unique situation as a principal.
“It was the biggest growth ever this year,” he said.
The second fastest growing school was Surf Coast Secondary College, where the student body increased by 205.7 between 2013 and 2018.
Enrolment numbers grew from 261 in 2013 to 797 in 2018.
Over those five years MacKillop Specialist School had the third biggest enrolment boom in the area 57 more students at the school in 2018 than in 2013 — a 150.0 per cent increase.